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History

THE HISTORY OF ALDEN TOWERS

 A Storied Address on Detroit's Riverfront

Alden Towers has crowned Detroit's Gold Coast for over a century, carrying forward the character of one of the city's original large-scale apartment communities. It's a living landmark, proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985 and one of the last standing developments of its kind.

In 2013, Alden Towers underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation to restore classic finishes to residences, such as rebuilding hardwood floors and also updating each home with state-of-the-art appliances. Common spaces were also updated including a makeover of the on-site fitness and laundry centers, underground parking garage, expansive lobby and outdoor riverfront spaces.

ORIGINS & CONSTRUCTION

Built in 1922 as the Berman Apartments, Alden Towers rose along East Jefferson Ave., reflecting the prestige of the corridor during Detroit's economic boom and the dawn of the automobile age. Developer Kenneth de Vos and architect Edwin Rorke, who later designed sister properties in Philadelphia and Brookline, Massachusetts, brought the vision to Detroit first in response to the city's luxury riverfront housing demand.

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

Built in the Tudor Revival style, the compound of four eight-story buildings features stone trim, lancet windows, projecting bay windows, and crenellated limestone rooflines that distinguish it from other Detroit apartment buildings of the era. Interconnected at the first story, which once housed a grocery store, hair salon, and laundry, the property also features an early example of integrated garage parking: a 250-car structure added in 1927, built at first-floor level and covered with earth so it blended into the landscape.

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